As anyone with access to social media knows, our food system is having a public relations crisis. From pink slime to glyphosate, it seems the unfortunate hidden ingredients in our meals are being highlighted in an almost daily barrage of tweets and Facebook posts. While a social media post can appear to be trivial with its fleeting impact, the truth is the collective strength of the online consumer voice is changing our food system for the better.

Just over a year ago, General Mills announced that it was removing the genetically modified organisms (GMOs) from Cheerios. The brand had been the focus of a campaign by the group GMO Inside asking the company to eliminate GMOs from one of the nation's top-selling breakfast cereals. The outcome? Tens of thousands of shoppers were commenting on the Cheerios Facebook page and watching a video highlighting the GMOs in the cereal (it was watched more than 200,000 times), and within months the company was announcing its move to reformulate the classic cereal without GMOs.

Likewise, in the spring of this year Abbott announced that it would be offering a non-GMO version of its best-selling Similac Advance infant formula. In a quote featured in The New York Times, Chris Calamari, general manager of Abbott's pediatric nutrition business, said, "We listen to moms and dads, and they've told us they want a non-G.M.O. option...we want to make sure we meet the desires of parents."

Like General Mills, Abbott (along with other companies that produce formula) had been the focus of consumer campaigns on social media to pressure it to move away from the use of GMOs. Both companies responded to this pressure with self-made non-GMO claims, and consumers continue to push them to back their commitments with third-party verification.

Outside of consumer-mobilization campaigns like the ones that General Mills and Abbott experienced, the consumer voice is still heard loud and clear. Chipotle has been making headlines over the past several years with its transparency commitment that includes posting all GMO ingredients on the company's website and systematically removing the products with GMOs from its menus. While some in the media have criticized Chipotle's progressive approach, its efforts have overwhelmingly been rewarded: Stocks surged after the initial announcement in 2014, and sales have continued to climb.

At the Non-GMO Project, one of the first questions we ask companies when they seek Non-GMO Project Verification for their products is, "Why are you seeking verification?" We consistently hear that it is due to consumer and retailer demand. This demand has translated into close to 2,000 brands working with the Non-GMO Project to make sure that their products follow best practices for GMO avoidance. Third-party verification by the Non-GMO Project ensures that products have met the Non-GMO Project's rigorous standard for GMO avoidance, which includes ongoing testing along with stringent traceability and segregation measures.

The team at the Non-GMO Project believes strongly in the power of the consumer voice. We have been verifying products since 2010, and in that time, more than 30,000 products have become Non-GMO Project Verified--a testament to the demand for GMO transparency.

On the Non-GMO Project website, we have a portal for consumer-product verification requests. Through this form, we collect verification requests for specific products. We use these requests in conversations with companies to help them gauge the interest their consumers have in seeing the brand's products get Non-GMO Project Verified. This is just one way that consumers can continue to make an impact on the products they purchase.

Here are more examples of how shoppers can take action:

1. Give companies your feedback--both positive and negative. Use social media and company feedback forms to let companies know what you would like to see in their products.

2. Spread the word. When companies do the right thing, take the time to let other people know about it. Positive word of mouth is one of the most powerful reinforcements for brands.

3. Shop your values. Purchase products from brands that are doing the right thing. At the Non-GMO Project, we offer a shopping app for iOS and Android devices, along with an online directory to help make your Non-GMO Project Verified purchasing decisions easier.

4. Talk to your food retailer about its purchasing policies. Many natural foods retailers have internal policies about the types of products they stock on their shelves. Let them know the types of products you'd like to see.

5. Get active in your local community. Whether your passion is non-GMO, organic, fair trade, support of local agriculture, or support of healthy school meals, there are great ways for you to bring your energy into your community. Many brands are willing to support meaningful local projects, and it's an awesome way to let brands know what you care about.

Courtney Pineau is the associate director of the Non-GMO Project, which offers North America's only third-party verification for products produced according to rigorous best practices for GMO avoidance. In recent years, this mission-driven organization has begun profoundly impacting the food supply in the U.S. and Canada. From the time she was a young child, Courtney's two favorite places to play and explore have been the kitchen and the garden. Her passion for growing food and nourishing the people she loves has inspired her ongoing commitment to ensuring that all people have access to safe and healthy food.

For more from Maria Rodale, visit www.mariasfarmcountrykitchen.com]]>On History, Sustainability, and Communitytag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2015:/theblog//3.78398702015-07-21T08:51:01-04:002015-07-23T13:59:01-04:00Maria Rodalehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/maria-rodale/

Part I of a three-part sustainability series by guest blogger Larry Eighmy, managing principal of The Stone House Group

Even if you don't believe in climate change, you must believe in sustainability. As former treasury secretary Hank Paulson said, "Economic growth and environmental protection are not at odds. They're opposite sides of the same coin if you're looking at longer-term prosperity." Sustainability is the key to our future--it also has deep roots in our past.

So where did the sustainability movement originate?

How did we first influence our communities to think local, act global?

How do we continue to do so?

Educating our neighbors, family, and friends on the importance of sustainable practices can help inspire communities to act together to support our long-term well-being.

You could argue that sustainability is an inherent condition of being human. The ability to gather, maintain, and preserve resources was necessary for survival in the earliest of times. Early successful civilizations like that of Mesopotamia excelled in domesticating animals and cultivating farmland on fertile terrain. But the civilization ultimately crumbled as a result of mismanagement of those resources through over-farming combined with population growth.

Another cautionary tale of is that of Easter Island. The island's Rapa Nui civilization was almost completely wiped out by overpopulation along with the destruction and extinction of resources that were limited to begin with.

The impacts of neglecting stewardship of the natural resources supporting these early communities was hard-learned, and it's a lesson we can take heed of today. Contrastingly, there are also communities that have lived in resource-strained areas that with proper care and attention have been able to survive in them for hundreds or even thousands of years.

As humans' use of natural resources to support economic development grew in the 19th and 20th centuries, the impacts of consuming those resources became increasingly evident. The industrial revolution influenced an upsurge in intensive agriculture practices, which increased the amount of available food and supported population increases. At the same time, industries were growing, using natural materials to create products while also providing jobs that allowed individuals to acquire more wealth and have the ability to consume more, leading to the lifestyles we have today.

But how can we counteract the environmental impacts of industry without eliminating the comforts it provides? Being responsible stewards of our communities, supporting the local economy, and buying sustainably grown products produced within your community can help by reducing overall resource consumption. Buying an apple from an orchard down the street is better for your neighbors and the environment than buying one shipped from New Zealand to your local grocery store.

This isn't a new idea. It's one derived from looking back at what worked and learning from what didn't, throughout history. The local, organic, and sustainable movement is a return to what were once natural, successful practices for us.

In addition to thinking about how we use our resources in our communities, it's important to observe the changes that occur in our communities. We can affect change. One source of inspiration for local activism spawning global action is Rachel Carson. A marine biologist and conservationist, she wrote her observations in several books, the one with the greatest impact being Silent Spring, regarding the effects of pesticides on nature. Her work helped contribute to the founding of the Environmental Defense Fund and the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as countless grassroots activist organizations.

And then there's environmentalist Bill McKibben who makes a compelling case in his provocative manifesto Deep Economy for moving beyond "growth" as the paramount economic ideal. He advocates pursuing prosperity in a more local direction, with regions producing more of their own food, generating more of their own energy, and even creating more of their own culture and entertainment. He proposes that, "our purchases need not be at odds with the things we truly value and the more we nurture the essential humanity of our economy, the more we will recapture our own."

Thinking about our local communities, the resources that support them, and how those resources are managed, can help us understand how to support our communities to thrive over the long term. Speaking with your local network about these issues can inspire local communities to work together to ensure that resources are being managed in a way that best serves the community. Observing and recording the negative changes in our local surroundings can help stop negative practices and mismanagement of resources.

Being stewards of our local environment will ensure that our communities will remain healthy and strong for generations to come.

Larry Eighmy is the managing principal of The Stone House Group, which helps clients find the overlap between financial and environmental sustainability through energy management, climate action plans, facilities management, and sustainable design services. The company has served more than 250 clients, from Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley to the Caribbean and the Far East. The company practices what it advocates, as evidenced by its development of a Zero Carbon Neighborhood at the Flat Iron in South Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where the company is headquartered.

For more from Maria Rodale, visit www.mariasfarmcountrykitchen.com]]>Yoga for Men, Part I: Forward Extensionstag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2015:/theblog//3.78186782015-07-17T11:23:52-04:002015-07-17T15:59:01-04:00Maria Rodalehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/maria-rodale/

by guest blogger Holly Walck Kostura, certified Iyengar Yoga teacher

Dear Male Yogis,

I am a female yoga practitioner and teacher, and I confess that for a very long time, I didn't understand the challenges you face, particularly with forward bends. As my teaching skills developed, I began to observe the keen differences between the form and function of the male and female bodies and wanted to help men gain access to the poses that would improve their mobility.

In exploring how men practiced forward extension poses, I saw that the poses could be both a poison and an elixir to the body--an elixir because they're exactly what's needed when the hamstrings, glutes, and sacral and posterior spinal muscles are stiff and tight; a poison because, even though needed, they might not feel satisfying to practice.

A male yoga teacher friend of mine wrote this sequence, and the practitioners in the videos are men born in varying decades who've faced a multitude of life challenges (tight hamstrings, stiff backs, cancer, forced early retirement, broken hearts, and more).

They are here to show you how to practice from the form (body) for the formless (soul).

Namaskar,

Holly

Yoga for Men, Part I: Forward Extensions

Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar) Preparation*

Chest Opener (Utthita Hastasana) Using the Wall

Standing Back Body Stretch (Parsvottanasana) at the Wall

Reclining Stretch for the External Rotators

Seated Stretch for the Ankles and External Rotators (Virasana)

Seated Back Body Stretch (Trianga Mukhaikapada Paschimottanasana)

Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana)

*Note: English names are not exact translations.

Holly Walck Kostura uses the healing practices of Ayurveda and Iyengar Yoga to secure her to the core of her being. Combining her bachelor's degree in nursing with her certification in Iyengar Yoga gives her the ability to approach her students from a place of wholeness and infuse her yoga classes with a unique flavor. Find her online at yogawithholly.com.

For more from Maria Rodale, visit www.mariasfarmcountrykitchen.com]]>International Play: Stories From an Airport Playgroundtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2015:/theblog//3.78095462015-07-16T09:46:07-04:002015-07-16T16:59:01-04:00Maria Rodalehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/maria-rodale/

by guest blogger Andeep Singh, documentarian and television and Web video producer

There are times in life when you find yourself saying hello and good-bye at the same moment in time. Such are the encounters at airport playgrounds.

On a recent layover at the Stockholm Arlanda airport, my jet-setting preschooler made several forays into the enchanted garden playground in Terminal Five.

Based on the stories and illustrations of local author Elsa Beskow, the playground is complete with a snow-covered cottage, plenty of mossy knolls, and even a mini yurt. It was the perfect place for our little international traveler to let loose after an overnight flight from New York to Sweden.

On our first jaunt into the playground, we met a little blonde girl from Russia. As the girls took turns "cooking" meals, theirs was an instant kinship. They made chocolate cake in 5 seconds, finished "eating" in 3 seconds, and then 10 seconds later said good-bye as the flight to Moscow began boarding. It was a perfect three-act story about food and friendship playing out in just under a minute.

Soon, a little boy from France came onto the scene. He was a younger, much less steady man just finding his way into this new playground. However, my older, sophisticated little lady was not to be swayed by his big brown eyes. Perhaps it was his persistence or maybe it was the drool, but soon she relented and the two rode happily together on the giant playground rat before she tired of him and said good-bye. Heartbreak happens on the airport playground, too.

Later, we met a little Swedish girl who was on her way to London. Upon hearing my daughter's American accent, she immediately said hello. The girl's father explained that she was excited to practice her English. The girls instantly bonded and forged a friendship worthy of an Ikea commercial. But as happens at airports, we too had to depart, and the only other words needed after that initial "hello" were "good-bye" and "hej då." Which, given the rules of this airport engagement, could not have been more appropriate.

As we boarded our flight to Rome, I remarked to my husband about the instant friendships formed on airport playgrounds. It was amazing to see captive kids from all over the world find each other in a perfect moment, only to say good-bye so soon afterwards.

On the one hand, it's kind of sad these friendships aren't given a chance to grow. On the other, it's greatly affirming that on life's great journeys there will always be fellow travelers with whom you can share a fleeting moment. Even at age 3.

Andeep Singh works at the Rodale Video Network and has produced nonfiction television, film, and digital video content for some of the biggest networks in the country, including ABC, NBC, PBS, CBC, and A&amp;E. She recently completed producing her first feature documentary film, titled Living the Fantasy, which follows the lives of six high-stakes fantasy football players. Originally from the Great White North, Andeep has a serious case of wanderlust, is afflicted with perpetual food envy, and is mildly obsessed with the Vancouver Canucks hockey team.

For more from Maria Rodale, visit www.mariasfarmcountrykitchen.com]]>The Dos and Don'ts of Bug Spraytag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2015:/theblog//3.77928402015-07-14T09:10:20-04:002015-07-14T17:59:01-04:00Maria Rodalehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/maria-rodale/

Did you know that what we put on our skin can be absorbed directly into our bodies? Our skin is often a gateway to the bloodstream, which is why products like nicotine and estrogen patches work. Unfortunately, our skin lacks the benefit of the body's digestive detoxification systems, which include saliva and the liver.

This is why we have to be especially careful with what we put on our skin!

It's particularly important to think about skin absorption in the summer months, when we use products like sunscreen and bug spray more frequently, applying them to our skin to keep us safe from the sun. They often include harmful chemicals. One surefire way to stay safe from both bugs and toxins? Know your ingredients!

Here's what you do and don't want in your next spritz of bug spray:

DON'T: N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, aka DEET. Invented in the 1950s, DEET is effective at keeping bugs at bay and is the most common ingredient used in insect repellents today. However, DEET has been linked to a number of health issues, including death (from ingestion), asthma, seizures, insomnia, impaired cognitive function, and nervous system damage.

DO: Organic catnip essential oil. Catnip is a common garden plant that's an effective mosquito repellent. In tests, Chris Peterson, PhD, and Joel Coats, PhD, chairs of Iowa State's entomology department, even found it to be more effective than DEET!

DON'T: Fragrance/parfum. In the U.S., manufacturers can legally hide dozens of synthetic chemicals in the one word--"fragrance"--without revealing what those ingredients are. It's referred to as a "trade secret" in the industry, but it is actually a loophole big enough to drive a truck though. Environmental Working Group researchers found more than 75 percent of products listing the ingredient "fragrance" contained phthalates (THAL-ates) which have been linked to disrupted hormonal activity, fertility problems, and reproductive malformation, along with liver and breast cancer, diabetes, and obesity.

DO: Organic lemon eucalyptus essential oil. Oil from Australia's lemon eucalyptus tree is an effective mosquito repellent, as well as a deterrent of horseflies, gnats, and ticks. There's evidence that components in the oil are as effective as DEET, and in some cases, even more effective. It has a strong scent that's believed to confuse mosquitoes' delicate sense of direction and taste, making it difficult for them to find a host. In 2000, the Environmental Protection Agency registered oil of lemon eucalyptus as an effective "biopesticide repellent"--meaning that it's derived from natural plant materials.

DON'T: Propellants. Propane, butane, isobutane, hydrofluorocarbons, and dimethyl ether are the most common propellants used in bug sprays. Headaches, breathing difficulties, mood swings, and nausea are just some of the acute symptoms of these harmful chemicals.

DO: Organic peppermint essential oil. Flies and ants don't like the scent of peppermint, making this essential oil an effective natural insect repellent. You can also grow peppermint plants in your garden to keep mosquitos away without toxic chemicals!

Have a happy, safe, and bug bite-free summer!

At the age of 15, Ava Anderson launched her safe line of personal care and home-cleaning products, Ava Anderson Non Toxic. Now in college, Ava is educating hundreds of thousands of American families annually on the issue of toxic chemicals in products through her line, which now includes baby, skin, hair, body, cosmetics, men's, candles, bug, home, sun, and pet products. An undergrad at Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, Ava actively helps run her large company with over 90 employees and thousands of Ava Consultants in every state in the nation. Her goal is to force a paradigm shift on the issue of toxic chemicals in products--with your help.

For more from Maria Rodale, visit www.mariasfarmcountrykitchen.com]]>Why I Don't Have a Bucket Listtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2015:/theblog//3.77632482015-07-10T09:17:38-04:002015-07-10T11:59:01-04:00Maria Rodalehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/maria-rodale/

by guest blogger Renee James, humorist and blogger

Every so often, words or phrases seem to implant themselves in my mind and not let go. Over the past few weeks, the phrase that keeps appearing and reappearing for me is "bucket list." Or, as I like to call it, "Your Basic 'Type A' Marching Orders."

Maybe it's because it's summer, when many people enjoy travel and vacations, away from daily routines. Those experiences are perfect "bucket list" fodder. Or it may be because I'm getting older, and more and more friends appear to be upturning some imaginary hourglass every chance they get, terrified as they see sand piling up on the bottom. Maybe everyone I know is living a madcap existence full of fun and adventure, and they are rapidly depleting their bucket lists as they pile up experiences and milestones. Luckily, it's the 21st century, so I get a front-row seat to their lives.

I don't have a bucket list. There, I've said it. I've never understood how people enthusiastically draft their own lists, much less embrace those "100 Books You Must Read" or "100 Songs You Must Download" or "100 Trips You Must Take" before you die lists.* The pressure! No, thank you. I have quite enough to do without some nameless, faceless entity handing me another 100, 200, or 300 tasks.

I might be some kind of freak, but I do hold out hope that there are at least a few other bucket-free adults out there who are willing to go on record with me. Like every marginalized group in America--and let's face it, who isn't part of a marginalized group in America?--we could have our own support group: BLFFs (bucket-list-free friends).

It might be the Capricorn in me: practical, logical, sensible--and that's my wild side. Capricorns tend not to get "carried away by fantasies" and are risk averse, rarely taking on anything that could upset their lives. I know, a party just waiting to happen. All this would mean so much more to me if I believed in astrology (but I'm too practical, logical, and sensible for that).

I'm far from an adrenaline junkie or someone with the attention span of a gnat. Activities like falling out of airplanes or climbing mountains as high as a plane's cruising altitude sound horrible, and flitting from one activity to the next then to the next has never enticed me. Yet, I love travel and appreciate the beauty that this gorgeous planet and the people on it offer us; I savor a good story; I enjoy lots of different types of music. But have I written, or am I consulting, a list of places I need to run around and see for the next--fingers crossed--decade or two or three? Keeping a stack of books by my bedside? Racking up hours of recorded music for "someday?" Nope.

It's not that I've seen everything, been everywhere, and done it all--far from true. I have dreams. It's just that I don't hold any of them dear enough to make them mandatory. (Is "mandatory dream" an oxymoron?) For me, a "bucket list" wouldn't be inspiring. Rather, it would mock me, a relentless reminder of everything I hadn't accomplished. An eternal "to-do" list while--bonus!--the meter's running. What a nightmare.

And then there's that tiny shred of competitiveness that creeps into this whole thing. People seem to crave that moment when they publicize the fact that they've crossed one more thing off their bucket list. Almost as if the announcement is the highlight, not the thing itself. Abstruse question of the day: If you experience something you've long desired to and don't post it on Facebook, did it really happen?

But the truth is, it's not the list itself that terrifies me. Suppose, in a moment of irrational exuberance, I were to create one. Suppose I checked off every blessed thing on it. Super. But I know myself. I'm positive I'd experience a ghastly "Is that all there is?" feeling. Can you imagine? Instead of basking in the glow, I'd find myself wondering why it all mattered so damn much. Yes, maybe I did treasure the moments, but really? This was what I had to do and where I had to be before calling it a life?

Maybe that makes me fearful and rigid. Paralyzed into inactivity. Maybe. But as I think about it--and that's usually what happens when I try to capture these random yet troubling thoughts--I remind myself once again that perspective, while not everything, counts for a lot. Having a list doesn't have to be a bad thing or result in endless brooding and self-doubt. It's possible the point of the list is not to gaze outward and "demand"; it's possible it may be to gaze outward and "offer." In fact, I'm starting to hope I leave behind a list with everything not quite done, because they are things worth doing over and over again. I have a feeling that very few of those items--if any--will require a passport or a checkbook.

Renee A. James works at Rodale Inc. and wrote an award-winning op-ed column for The Morning Call, the Allentown, Pennsylvania, newspaper, for almost 10 years. Her essays were included in the humor anthology, 101 Damnations: A Humorists' Tour of Personal Hells (Thomas Dunne Books, 2002), and are also found online at Jewish World Review and The Daily Caller. She invites you to Like her Facebook page, where she celebrates--and broods about--life on a regular basis, mostly as a voice in the crowd that shouts, "Really? You're kidding me, right?" (or wants to, anyway), and she welcomes your suggestions, comments, and feedback to the mix.

For more from Maria Rodale, visit www.mariasfarmcountrykitchen.com]]>The Flip Side of Lovetag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2015:/theblog//3.77613462015-07-09T09:23:10-04:002015-07-09T10:00:26-04:00Maria Rodalehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/maria-rodale/

by guest blogger Pam Fullerton, psychotherapist and writer

Last week I was hurt because of something my husband said to me. I felt hurt, but at the same time, he felt frustrated and misunderstood. The evening ended abruptly. For me, it had been a lovely day spent with a good friend. That evening, I sat outside with my husband sharing the goodness that came from my day. The weather was beautiful, and we were enjoying a glass of wine together. The abrupt ending to a lovely evening was one of those dreadful, unanticipated moments that happen in relationships. (I know you may be wondering what it was my husband said to me, but that's not the important point here. Do keep reading!)

Do you remember what it was that you fell in love with about your partner? Most of us do. I would guess that one of the things my husband initially loved about me was my sensitivity. Sensitivity has many positive aspects, such as a deep capacity for empathy, thoughtfulness, and caring, and I'm sure that he continues to love my sensitivity. But here's the thing, the sensitivity that my husband loves about me is probably sometimes also the bane of his existence (he has never expressed this to me, but I know it can be challenging for him). In most cases, I am able to get the clarification that I need to move out of my hurt. But I struggled this time. The next day, I was able to recognize the meaning of what he said and how he meant it. I did acknowledge that to him; after sleeping on it, I better understood what he said to me, and I apologized as well as validated his frustration in being misunderstood.

The point is I hear so many people say that what they fell in love with in a person is ultimately what drives them crazy. I try to keep my sensitivity in check, but it's not always easy. I think what's important is that we need to understand the flip side of the positive that we bring to a relationship. You know that dreaded question that you get in a job interview, "What are your strengths and weakness?" I tell people that they are one and the same, meaning your strength is also your potential weakness.

So, for me, my sensitivity is my strength and my weakness.

You might be attracted to someone who is confident, but the flip side may be arrogance. While you might be attracted to someone who is quiet and listens to you, the flip side might be he or she is painfully shy and won't want to join you at parties. You might be drawn to someone who's motivated, driven, and successful in a career, but the flip side may be that he or she may work all the time and forget to give time to the relationship. You might be attracted to someone who's neat and organized; the flip might be that he or she can be compulsive and controlling. You might appreciate someone who's nice and helpful to others, but the flip side may be that he or she doesn't know how to say no. As I said, one trait typically has two sides. That doesn't mean that the flip side will always appear -- partners may have the flip side nicely contained!

What's important here is self-awareness. I know my sensitivity all too well. I value it, though I sometimes wish that I didn't feel emotions as intensely as I do. There are times when I react rather than process what just happened. I just feel it. I've become better at not reacting over the years by simply being self-aware. One of my mantras is, "What you don't own owns you," meaning that if I own my sensitivity, I can do my best to contain it (self-awareness). If you don't own it, it's in control of you. I could easily fall into being reactionary and blame others for my emotions.

So whether you're dating or married, examine and be self-aware of both sides of the coin regarding the traits in both your partner and yourself. Don't be afraid of these characteristics or run from them. Simply be aware of them. And keep this in mind, too: When I was a kid, my sensitivity was seen as a negative aspect of me. I was often told that I was "too sensitive." It took me a while to see the positive side of my sensitivity. If you struggle with only seeing the negative side of a trait, look for the positive. It's there!

One final thought: If you're only seeing the negative side of your partner's traits, remember the positive, as well. That's what you love!

Pam Fullerton has been in private practice as a psychotherapist for the past 19 years. Although she works with a variety of life issues that are presented to her in therapy, her passion is to understand the vast complexities of all relationships. She believes that healthy connections with others are what promote personal growth. Keep up with her writings on relationships, mindfulness, and more by subscribing here.

In the old days (1660 to 1840), affluent young men were known to go on a "grand tour" to complete their education. Today, the tradition continues when we send our kids off to somewhere foreign for a "semester abroad." The truth is, if you can afford it (and even when you can't), seeing the world from a different perspective is a key turning point in anyone's life, no matter what your age. And while I'm a lifelong traveler and adventuress, my two youngest kids haven't gotten out quite as much because of things like school schedules, summer camps, age differences, and such.

Well, with my middle child graduating from high school and my youngest having arrived at an age when she'll actually remember things (almost 9), we've decided to go on a grand tour of our own this summer! We are condensing the jetlag into one trip and venturing to three different countries--Iceland, England, and France--for three weeks!

Planning a trip like this is an epic undertaking if, like me, you don't use a travel agent. I enjoy doing the research and figuring it all out myself. This is not your typical "vacation." We'll be staying in eight different hotels. Our transportation will include planes, trains, automobiles, and, hopefully, some bicycles and horses. Definitely Icelandic ponies! And I will be checking (or ticking, as they say in Australia) at least five things off my bucket list.

Most importantly, I will be sharing this adventure with my two youngest daughters and seeing the world anew through their eyes. But don't worry; I will be sharing it with you, too!

The next few weeks of blogs from me will be pictures of my trip--hopefully, stuff you'll enjoy looking at!

Things to look forward to: In England, I will be visiting Prince Charles's organic farm and estate, known as Highgrove. I will FINALLY get to the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show (as my oldest said, "If you don't go, I will never forgive you because you've been talking about it forever.") In France, I will visit the street in Paris that has gone 100 percent organic! And that's just a small sampling of the treats in store for all of us...

If you're looking for a unique craft project to tackle with your friends and family this summer, look no further! Making sunprints is super easy and so much fun.

For these jars, I foraged around my yard and found all sorts of cool items--Queen Anne's lace, tiny little daisylike flowers called daisy fleabane, ornamental grass, and ferns--to help me create the look of fireworks.

With the exception of the plants, flowers, and mason jars, I found all of my craft ingredients at my local crafts store.

You'll need:

Sun-sensitive paper (the instructions on the package are super easy to follow)

Piece of cardboard (approximate size 12" x 12")

Plants and flowers

A pan of water

Mason jars

Glue stick

Scissors

Here's how you do it:

1. Gather plants and flowers.

2. While in a shady part of your yard or house, place a piece of sun-sensitive paper (blue side up) on the cardboard. (The cardboard provides a flat and level surface.)

3. Arrange the plants and flowers on the sun-sensitive paper.

4. Carefully place the paper with your arranged items in the sun.

5. Leave in the sun for approximately 2 minutes (the paper will turn a very light blue).

6. Remove the items on the paper and fully immerse the paper in water for about 1 minute.

7. Remove the paper from the water and lay it on a towel to dry.

8. After the paper is dry, cut it to any size you want, coat the back using a glue stick, and adhere the sunprint to a jar.

9. Add votive candles or flowers and kaboom! You have a really cool addition to your Fourth of July table.

Happy Fourth of July!

Mark Kintzel comes from a long line of crafters, artists, musicians, and farm folk. He first came under the magic spell of flowers while wandering through meadows near his grandparents' farm in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, as a boy. His appreciation for creativity and flowers grew throughout the years, and he now specializes in event planning and styling, garden design, and organic floral arrangements for just about any occasion. See more at markkintzel.com.

For more from Maria Rodale, visit www.mariasfarmcountrykitchen.com]]>Sweet Success From Across the Pondtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2015:/theblog//3.77439022015-07-07T10:30:49-04:002015-07-07T17:59:01-04:00Maria Rodalehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/maria-rodale/

Back in November, I received a call from the producer of Good Morning Britain, the UK equivalent of U.S. morning shows like Today. The show was launching a "sugar-free" campaign, a segment in which three women would be selected from a large pool of applicants and profiled as they reverse old self-destructive habits and adopt a healthier way of living. To prepare them, the women selected would be flown to Los Angeles to meet with fitness and nutrition experts. As part of the program, each woman got my book The Hunger Fix and met with me at Malibu Vista. There, I assessed the women's addictive eating behaviors and help show them how to switch their typical refined and processed foods for delicious whole foods.

One of the women, 38-year-old Carla Andrews, made it clear that she was in a serious state of readiness to change her life. The heaviest of the three and already hypertensive, Carla noted during our interview her profound disconnect with her body, only acknowledging its presence when she forced herself to look into mirror. I sensed a deep sense of pain as well as an emerging strength and tenacity to turn things around in her life. Carla and I bonded quickly, and I decided to continue to work with her going forward.

Flash-forward seven months and 70 pounds removed: Carla was in the midst of one of the most pivotal mental, spiritual, and physical transformations of her life. For Carla, this journey was less about shedding pounds than about releasing the lifelong mental weight that had driven her to self-soothe with food. The years of numbing herself from anxiety, stress, and sadness had culminated in her carrying 254 pounds on a 5'4" frame. As we worked together, Carla began to share her story, parts of which may resonate with many of you.

Growing up, life was very difficult. Emotionally abandoned and battered by her parents, Carla sought solace from her grandparents, who enjoyed feeding her an endless supply of all of her favorites, from potpie to chocolate and pastries. She shared that, "Food was fun, colorful, and plentiful. When I got back home, my mum would say I had put weight on and call me fat."

Of course, the shaming would only provide more reason to self-soothe. Further, she added, "So, why am I addicted to sugar? I think it's safe to say I am an emotional eater, having grown up in a household where I was a victim of mental, physical, and sexual abuse." Carla's addictive eating behavior made sense. Using data from the Nurses' Health Study, Harvard researcher Susan Mason, PhD, studied the relationship between early-life trauma in women and the prevalence of food addiction. Mason found that severe childhood and adolescent abuse were associated with a 90 percent increase in food addiction risk.

When her home life became unbearable, Carla went to live with her grandparents at the age of 15. The overeating continued until, four years later, her grandmother passed away. Grief-stricken, Carla shed a large amount of weight. But eventually, she regained it once she entered the workforce, burying her pain in work. "As life went on I struggled with my past and my emotions but buried them in the pleasures of food."

As time passed, she became a single mother of two beautiful boys, both with functional levels of Asperger's syndrome. Looking back as we spoke, she said, "My life consisted of my boys, work, and paying the bills. With no life, I ate. I would treat the boys to cinema or bowling and a meal out--everything we did consisted of food. Sweet treats and a full belly until it hurt was the life I used to lead. On the one hand, I was in a deep hole and I couldn't get out. On the other, this is how I found a way to numb the pains of my life and find temporary happiness--although it was killing me."

As we gradually made critical connections between her past trauma and overeating, Carla began to reframe what had happened to her. Feeling enlightened and empowered, it became easier to stop blaming herself and realize that at the time she'd done the best she could to survive. She just didn't need to keep repeating her childhood rituals. It was finally time to change.

During the course of our working together, Carla learned how to reach out for help. One day, I received an email with a subject heading that would become Carla's trademark call for help: "Mayday, Mayday." In essence, after having removed 40 pounds, she began to experience some complacency, and her normally acid focus had begun to soften. After a long across-the-pond Skype session, Carla learned the lesson behind this close call with caving to the craving: Lifelong vigilance and daily mindful living are essential to her sustainable success.

As she continues her quest to optimize her health and wellness, Carla shared some of her simple secrets of success. Here are a few of her dietary tips:

Cook more and make your own (such as homemade mayonnaise/pasta sauces).

Never skip a meal; always have a snack in between, too.

Carry healthy snacks to limit junk food purchases.

Eat the rainbow... of colorful vegetables and fruits.

Getting more active led to another learning experience. In her own words, "In the past, exercise had been a chore for me. You know, you get in from a hard day at work, the kids are arguing, the house needs cleaning, and everyone needs feeding. This is where I used to fall down. I never made me time. [This time] I recruited strangers that were in the same position as me, lacking motivation to get physically active alone. I decided to set up my 'Exercise Buddy' network, which was relatively easy with social media. We meet and walk and talk, and some days we swim." How creative!

"Now it's not food that makes me happy," she declares. "I do create tasty meals, but I seek pleasure from finish lines. I have ditched my chocolate for new adventures. Each month I now enter new physical challenges, many of which are for charity. To date, I have swum a swimathon, completed a two-day boot camp, and run the London City mile, and next month I am climbing Mount Snowdon. This is what makes me truly happy and feel alive. I still have moments where I am sacred, but as I get fitter, I know I'll feel stronger. My one-year goal is to start a martial art. I know that sounds silly, because it's not like I am 15 anymore. But it will just put another nail in the coffin so I can bury my demons."

Carla's story is another reminder that so much of that excess weight you may find yourself carrying reflects a complex story that you need to acknowledge, honor, and then take control of. When she feels moments of fear or anxiety, Carla comes back to the inspiring quote below. Perhaps as you become truly aware of your own extraordinary story, you'll find it of help, as well. Consider it a gift from a kindred spirit across the pond.

"You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think." -- Christopher Robin

Pamela Peeke, MD, MPH, FACP, is a Pew Scholar in nutrition and metabolism, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Maryland, and a fellow of the American College of Physicians. As Senior Science Adviser to Elements Behavioral Health, she's creating an integrative lifestyle plan to support the treatment of addiction and mood disorders. A Senior Olympic triathlete, she is known as "the doc who walks the talk," living what she's learned as an expert in health, fitness, and nutrition. She is the best-selling author of many books, including Fight Fat after Forty and Body-for-Life for Women. Her newest book is the New York Times bestseller The Hunger Fix.